Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases are long-term health conditions that require ongoing care and may affect daily life. Diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure are among the leading causes of death and disability. In Prince George’s County, more than 60% of deaths are related to chronic diseases.

Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent and manage many chronic conditions. Eating nutritious foods, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding tobacco can reduce your risk and improve your overall health.

The Chronic Disease Unit provides programs, resources, and support to help residents prevent and manage chronic disease. We also partner with community organizations to expand outreach, promote healthier lifestyles, and improve health outcomes throughout Prince George's County.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which blood sugar levels are above normal. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help sugar get into the cells of our bodies.

Join the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program

Dine, Learn & Move

Dine, Learn & Move is a FREE 11-month program currently being presented online by a partnership between M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation Prince George’s County, Prince George’s County Health Department, Suburban Hospital and the University of Maryland, Capital Region Health. The program aims to promote healthy eating, active living and reinforce health behaviors in order to reduce the prevalence of various chronic diseases amongst county residents. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Prince George’s County and half of adults are not active or are insufficiently active (sources: 2021 Maryland Vital Statistics Administration Annual Report; 2022 Maryland BRFSS).

Living Well Self-Management Programs

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

  The Living Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a self-management class for anyone with a chronic condition (arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension), or any other chronic condition that requires ongoing medication.

• Diabetes Self-Management Program

  The Living Well Diabetes Self-Management Program is a series of self-management classes for anyone with a diabetes diagnosis.

PreventionLink

The PreventionLink program integrates clinical practice with evidence-based public health programs to improve health outcomes for patients at all levels of risk for chronic disease, from persons at risk for diabetes and heart disease to high-system utilizers with frequent hospitalizations. Innovations in the use of health information technology and the development of communities of practice will bring together stakeholders in chronic disease care with a shared goal of reducing the burden of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke in underserved areas of Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties.

Prevent T2 Program (Pre-diabetes)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recognized lifestyle change program that is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.